Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Fifth Third Bancorp announces expected impact of Vantiv share saleVantiv (VNTV) recently conducted a secondary offering of 5.78 million shares of Class A Common Stock being sold on behalf of Fifth Third (FITB). Fifth Third says "The sale will result in an approximate 12% reduction in our ownership position in Vantiv (excluding the warrant noted below). Our purpose in the sale is to continue the process of monetizing the remaining portion of our stake in Vantiv in a considered, orderly fashion over time. Upon the settlement of this transaction, we would expect to recognize a pre-tax gain of approximately $125M during 2Q14. Following the settlement, Fifth Third would continue to hold approximately 43 million Class B units of Vantiv Holding, LLC, which may be exchanged for Class A common stock of Vantiv, Inc. on a one-for-one basis, as well as a warrant that is exercisable and exchangeable into Vantiv Inc. Class A Common Stock. These securities are subject to certain terms and restrictions. Fifth Third would have a remaining economic interest of approximately 22.8% of Vantivís future earnings. Our interest is accounted for under the equity method, and these earnings would be reduced reflecting the reduction in our ownership position as a result of the sale. Prior to this transaction, the carrying value of Fifth Thirdís investment in Vantiv Holding, LLC was $437M as of March 31. As previously announced on March 26, under our current capital plan, as to which the Federal Reserve provided a non-objection in its 2014 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review process, we may provide for the repurchase of shares of Fifth Third common stock in an amount up to any after-tax gains realized by Fifth Third from the sale of Vantiv shares."